Clematis plant named ‘Passion Plum’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Clematis  cultivar named ‘Passion Plum’ is disclosed, characterized by short, very compact plant growth and a long, continuous flowering period from Spring through Summer. Flowers are distinctively colored dark pink with a darker pink bar. The new cultivar is a  Clematis , suitable for ornamental garden purposes.

Latin name of the genus and species: Clematis lanuginosa×patens.

Variety denomination: ‘PASSION PLUM’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted bythe inventor during 2009. May of 2009, the inventor, Friedrich ManfredWestphal, a citizen of Germany, made a crossing of the seed parentClematis lanuginosa ‘Carnaby’, unpatented, with the pollen parent,Clematis patens ‘Rosa Konigskind’, unpatented Seeds originating fromthis crossing were planted out, and the new variety was selected during2010. All work was conducted at a commercial nursery in Prisdorf,Germany.

The inventor first propagated ‘Passion Plum’ by vegetative cuttings atthe commercial nursery in Prisdorf, Germany in April of 2010. Subsequentgenerations have shown that the unique features of this cultivar arestable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘Passion Plum’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The followingtraits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the uniquecharacteristics of ‘Passion Plum’ These characteristics in combinationdistinguish ‘Passion Plum’ as a new and distinct Clematis cultivar:

-   -   1. Very short, compact plant habit    -   2. Long flowering period, continuously throughout Summer    -   3. Distinctive dark pink flower, with a darker pink bar    -   4. Highly floriferous plant

COMPARISON TO PARENT VARIETY

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Passion Plum’ are similar to plants of theseed parent; Clematis lanuginosa ‘Carnaby’ in most horticulturalcharacteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘Passion Plum’ areshorter and more compact, and flower over a longer period. Additionally,plants of ‘Passion Plum’ produce flowers that are much darker pink.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Passion Plum’ are similar to plants of thepollen parent; Clematis patens ‘Rosa Konigskind’ in most horticulturalcharacteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘Passion Plum’ areshorter and more compact. Additionally, plants of ‘Passion Plum’ produceflowers that are much darker colored than the pollen parent.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

‘Passion Plum’ can be compared to the commercial variety ‘Dorami’, U.S.Plant Pat. No. 21,740. ‘Passion Plum’ and ‘Dorami’ are similar in mosthorticultural characteristics, especially in compact plant habit andtheir continuous flowering characteristic. However, plants of ‘PassionPlum’ produce a dark pink and pink flower, compared to the purple flowerof ‘Dorami’

‘Passion Plum’ can also be compared to Clematis ‘Jenmar’ U.S. Plant Pat.No. 21,713. ‘Passion Plum’ and ‘Jenmar’ are similar in mosthorticultural characteristics, especially in compact plant habit andtheir continuous flowering characteristic. However, plants of ‘PassionPlum’ produce a dark pink and pink flower, compared to the purple flowerof ‘Jenmar’. Additionally, the petal aspect is much different betweenthe varieties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a closeup of typical foliage and flowers of ‘Passion Plum’ grown outdoors inGermany.

The plant is approximately 1 year old, and is planted in the ground. Thephotograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colorsmay appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it isas accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘Passion Plum’ plants grown in a greenhouse inPrijsdorf, Germany. Plants are approximately 1 year old, in a 1 liternursery container. The greenhouse is unheated and unshaded. Temperaturesranged from 2° C. to 20° C. at night to 5° C. to 35° C. during the day.Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical planttypes.

-   Botanical classification: Clematis lanuginose×patens ‘Passion Plum’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to rooting:    -   -   Initiation.—Approximately 22 days in the Summer at            approximately 24° C.        -   Rooted cuttings production.—Approximately 55 days in the            Summer at approximately 20° C. to 26° C.-   Root description: Fine, fibrous.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Climbing vine.-   Height: Approximately 150 cm, measured from the soil line of the pot    after approximately 1 year.-   Plant spread: Approximately 45 cm to 60 cm after approximately 1    year.-   Growth rate: During active growing season in Spring, approximately    20 to 30 cm per month.-   Branching characteristics: One main stem, and 1 to 5 lateral    branches, typically given a pinch.-   Length of main stem: Approximately 180 cm.-   Diameter of main stem: Approximately 0.8 cm.-   Main stem color: Near RHS Green 137B, flushed Greyed-Red 178A.-   Main stem texture: Slightly pubescent.-   Internode length: Varies from 7 to 12 cm.-   Strength: Strong, flexible, semi-woody.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Type.—Simple.        -   Arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Leaves per lateral branch.—Average 3.        -   Average length.—Approximately 5 to 6.5 cm.        -   Average width.—Approximately 3.5 to 4.5 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Oblong.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Cordate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth.        -   Leaf internode length.—Approximately 2 cm.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137C. Young            foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137B. Mature foliage            upper side: Near RHS Green 137A Mature foliage under side:            Near RHS Green 137B.        -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS            Green 137B. Venation color under side: Near RHS Green 137A.        -   Petiole.—Average Length: Approximately 5 to 7 cm. Color:            Near RHS Greyed-Red 180B. Diameter: Approximately 0.2 cm.            Texture: Smooth.

FLOWER

-   Bloom period:    -   -   Natural season.—Continuously from Spring through Summer.-   Inflorescence type and habit: Single, axillary; flowers facing    outward.-   Flower longevity on plant: Approximately 10 days, after fully    opened. Self-cleaning.-   Quantity of flowers: Approximately 20 open flowers at one time.    Approximately 3 to 5 per flowering stem.-   Inflorescence size:    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 10 to 14 cm.        -   Depth.—Approximately 2.0 cm.-   Corolla:    -   -   Tepal arrangement.—Single whorl, slightly overlapping.        -   Quantity.—Approximately 6 per flower.        -   Size.—Length: Approximately 6 to 7 cm. Width: Approximately            2.5 cm.        -   Margin.—Entire, slightly undulating.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Truncate.        -   Texture.—Smooth, velvety.-   Color:    -   -   Tepals.—When opening: Upper surface: Near RHS Red-Purple            72A, center near Red-Purple 71A. Lower surface: Near RHS            Red-Purple 72A, center near Red-Purple 71A. Fully opened:            Upper surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 70B, center near            Red-Purple 71A. Lower surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 70B,            center near Red-Purple 71A. Ageing: Upper Surface: Near RHS            Red-Purple N74C, center near Red-Purple 61A. Lower Surface:            Near RHS Red-Purple N74C, center near Red-Purple 61A.-   Bud:    -   -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Length.—Approximately 2 to 5 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 1.5 to 2.5 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 72A, streaks near Red-Purple 71A.-   Pedicels:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 4 to 10 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 0.4 cm.        -   Angle.—Average 80°.        -   Strength.—Strong, flexible.        -   Color.—Near RHS Greyed-Orange 165C.-   Fragrance: None.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—Approximately 70 to 90 per flower.        -   Anther length.—0.8 cm 1.2 cm.        -   Anther color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 61A.        -   Anther shape.—Oblong.        -   Pollen quantity.—Not observed to date.        -   Filament length.—Approximately 1.2 to 2.0 cm.        -   Filament aspect.—Straight.        -   Filament color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 70B.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—Approximately 30 to 50 per flower.        -   Length.—Approximately 0.8 cm.        -   Style color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 70B.        -   Style length.—Approximately 0.7 cm.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Linear. Color: Near RHS Red-Purple 70B.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: Not observed to date.-   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to    pathogens and pests common to Clematis have been observed.-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerates temperatures from approximately    −20°C. to 45° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Clematis plantnamed ‘Passion Plum’ as herein illustrated and described.